TYSON FURY could yet fight Deontay Wilder next year – if Anthony Joshua loses to Kubrat Pulev.
The Gypsy King announced at the start of coronavirus lockdown that he had ‘agreed’ two fights with AJ for 2021.
Tyson Fury could yet fight Deontay Wilder next in a triologyCredit: Richard Pelham
Back then, it was expected that Fury would have his trilogy fight with Wilder before the year was out.
But according to Fury and his promoter Frank Warren, Wilder missed a deadline to take the third fight.
The American disputes this and is taking legal advice.
Joshua has long-been pencilled in for his world title defence against Pulev – this will take place on December 12 at the Wembley Arena.
Should Joshua beat Pulev, it would set up an undisputed clash against Fury.
But defeat could spell curtains for it happening and the Wilder scrap could be revisited, as Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum revealed.
He told iFL TV: “If Pulev wins, there’s no Joshua because Eddie (Hearn) has a rematch with Pulev.
“So that takes care of a big part of next year for Joshua.
“And so that leaves Wilder as the best guy. So if Pulev beats Joshua, we’ll talk to Fury about doing the Wilder fight at the end of February.
“By the end of February, hopefully, the pandemic will be under control, and we’ll at least be able to put the [Fury vs. Wilder III] fight in Allegiant Stadium [in Las Vegas, Nevada], and do it for 15,000, 20,000 people in a 75,000 seat stadium.
Joshua will be the heavy favourite when he fights Kubrat Pulev on December 12Credit: AFP – Getty
US boxing promoter Bob Arum is tipping Pulev to spring a shockCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“It’s all well and good for Fury to say that he wants to fight Joshua, but who knows if Joshua is going to be around after he fights my guy Pulev.”
Arum co-promotes Pulev and has predicted the veteran Bulgarian will shock Joshua just like Andy Ruiz Jr did in June last year.
It has been revealed that Joshua will be cheered on by 1,000 fans when he defends his world titles against Pulev in less than two weeks.
He will be the first star to fight in front of a crowd since the coronavirus pandemic struck after his promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed a crowd will be allowed at the event on December 12.
Tickets go on sale this Friday and are priced between £100 and £1,000.
Fans will be required to wear face coverings at the event and groups of those wishing to attend must also be from the same household.
Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua took his defeat to Ruiz with class and respect
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
